Making LPMG production plans to access ADB grant (component 2), and making household business plans to access IFAD loan (component 3).

1. 1
GST TRAINING REPORT
(Making LPMG production plans to access ADB grant and
making household business plans to access IFAD loan)
Venue: Viengxay district, Houaphanh province, Lao PDR
Duration: 23 – 27 April 2018
(First Batch)
Written by:
Viengxay Photakoun, Head of Agro-processing Division (DTEAP)
Phetsoulaphonh Choulatida, Agribusiness Development Specialist (LIC)
Soukan Keonouchanh, Head of Namxouang Livestock Research Centre (NAFRI)
27 April 2018

2. 2
Abbreviation
ADB : Asian Development Bank
DIU : District Implementation Unit
DLF : Department of Livestock and Fishery
DTEAP : Department of Technical Extension and Agro-Processing
GOL : Government of Laos
GST : Group Support Team
HP : Houaphanh
IFAD : International Fund for Agriculture Development
LIC : Loan Implementation Consultant
LNT : Luangnamtha
LPMG : Livestock Production and Marketing Group
NAFRI : National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute
NSLCP : Northern Smallholder Livestock Commercialization Project
PAFO : Provincial Agriculture and Forestry Office
PIU : Provincial Implementation Unit

3. 3
Table of Content
1. Introduction……………………………………………………………………….…………………………………4
2. Training Venue and Duration……………………………………………………..…………………………5
3. Resources Persons………………………………………………………………………………………………..5
4. Targeted Attendance……………………….………………………………………..………………………… 5
5. Opening Ceremony……………………………………………………………………………………………… 6
6. Training Sessions, Discussions, and Practicing at the Selected Village……….………… 7
7. Planning for Next Step…………………………………………………………………………….…………… 14
8. Training Evaluation and Closing Ceremony…………………..……………………………………… 14
9. Annex………………………………..………………………………………………………………………………… 15

4. 4
1. Introduction
The Northern Smallholder Livestock Commercialization Project (NSLCP) is financed by
ADB and IFAD following a GOL request, with the aim to support the commercialization
of livestock smallholders in four Northern provinces of Lao PDR. The purpose of
Component 1 is to build the capacities of LPMG members and other Livestock Value
Chain stakeholders, in preparation for the investments under Components 2 and 3 will
be launched. Meaning that LPMGs make production plans in order to access the ADB
grants under sub-component 2.1, and Households also make business plans in order to
apply for IFAD loans under sub-component 3.1. Therefore, NAFRI and DTEAP act as
backstopping agencies to support the LPMG production, activity, business and
investment planning through building the capacity of a Group Support Team (GST) that
was formed at each of the 12 project districts.
Objective of this training is aligning NSLCP program to strengthen capacity to Group
Support Team (GST) in 12 districts in four Northern provinces in order to ensure
sustainability after the end of project, All GSTs will lead and facilitate LPMGs to
complete production plan to access ADB grant. This training program focused on 5 key
topics such as: Introduction of business plan/production plan, review of 7 models of
livestock commercialization developed by NAFRI, cost-benefit analysis, real practicing at
village level, and implementing a LPMG production Plan of cow-calf model. At the end
of this training program, all GSTs will apply all knowledge and skills what they obtained
to implement at their target areas, for sure one GST is responsible to 3 LPMGs.
Therein, resources persons enrich different discipline namely Mr. Viengxay Photakoun
as Head of Agro-processing Division (DTEAP), Mr. Soukan Keonouchanh as Head of
Namxouang Livestock Research Centre (NAFRI), and Mr. Phetsoulaphonh Choulatida as
Agribusiness Development Specialist (LIC). Since each of them had strong expertise at
their field, these resources persons guarantee contributing much more valuable
knowledge and skills to GSTs and this training continued from previous courses which
held by DLF, NAFRI, and DTEAP in February 2018.
Therefore, this training aims to hold two batches: first batch organized in Viengxay
district, Houaphanh province to serve GSTs from Houaphanh and Luangnamtha. And
second batch organized in Nonghet district, Xiengkhouang province to serve GSTs from
Luangprabang and Xiengkhouang.

5. 5
2. Training Venue and Duration
Batch: 1
Date: 23 - 27 April 2018
Venue: 2nd
floor meeting room of Lao Front Bureau in Viengxay district, Houaphanh
Time: 8:00 – 16:00 hour
3. Resources Persons
NAFRI Trainers:
 Mr. Soukan Keonouchanh, Head of Namxouang Livestock Research Centre
 Mr. Somchanh Khamphavong, Chef of Research in Namxouang
DTEAP Trainers:
 Mr. Viengxay Photakoun, Head of Agro-processing Division
 Mr. Phitthasone Thepsombath, farmer group support officer
LIC Trainer:
 Mr. Phetsoulaphonh Choulatida, Agribusiness Development Specialist
4. Targeted Attendance
Houaphanh province:
 4 PAFO officials
 5 GSTs in Ett district (1 female)
 5 GSTs in Xiengkhor district (0 female)
 5 GSTs in Viengxay district (2 females)
Luangnamtha province:
 4 PAFO officials
 5 GSTs in Sing district (1 female)
 5 GSTs in Nalea district (1 female)
 5 GSTs in Viengphoukha district (2 female)
Table 1. List of Participants attended
N
o.
Name & Surname Position Organization Contact no.
1 Mr. Khampheng Phanavanh Coordinator head PAFO, LNT 020 22994465
2 Mr. Vilasone Ouandala PIU head PAFO, LNT 020 22995661
3 Mr. Khonsavanh Tovongvichit Extension PAFO, LNT -
4 Mr. Sisavad Xaysomboun Land use/research PAFO, LNT 020 22991946
5 Ms. Phengkham Keosopha Land use/research Sing district, LNT 020 22998877
6 Mr. Viphakon Souliya DIU head Sing district, LNT -
7 Mr. Keokou Phimphavong Extension Sing district, LNT 020 56249146
8 Mr. Bounxeuy Somphouviseth Extension Sing district, LNT 020 56587202

6. 6
9 Mr. Khanthong Phommanichan Livestock Sing district, LNT 020 55881454
10 Ms. Sida Vongphaseuth DIU head Nalea district, LNT 020 55112891
11 Mr. Lang Seanphok Extension Nalea district, LNT 020 22392527
12 Mr. Somphong Inmany Land use/research Nalea district, LNT 020 28836999
13 Mr. Onkim Ngo-oudom Livestock Nalea district, LNT 020 98029282
14 Mr. Sayasith Sitthimon Extension Nalea district, LNT 020 98487538
15 Mr. Nasavath Sakhounkham DIU head Viengphoukha, LNT 020 54987416
16 Mr. Thongvanh Orladom Extension Viengphoukha, LNT 020 56498088
17 Mr. Inphanh Vannakham Livestock Viengphoukha, LNT 030 9996143
18 Ms. Phennapha Sakhounlham Extension Viengphoukha, LNT 020 56494989
19 Ms. Sisouphet Vannakham Land use/research Viengphoukha, LNT 020 59781764
20 Mr. Phuangsavath Phommasy Coordinator head PAFO, HP -
21 Mr. Phonsavanh Savathdy PIU head PAFO, HP 020 22349449
22 Mr. Xomxana Airkhomphon Extension PAFO, HP 020 54136661
23 Mr. Viengxam Khamxayphone Land use/research PAFO, HP -
24 Ms. Davanh Bounthavy DIU dead Ett district, HP 020 56235144
25 Mr. Bounpien Banvixay Extension Ett district, HP 020 99662282
26 Mr. Thongkhen Ketsengmuang Land use/research Ett district, HP 020 55171497
27 Mr. Likvanh Xaysimma Extension Ett district, HP 020 28600344
28 Mr. Phetkham Luangkhammy Livestock Ett district, HP 020 59424035
29 Mr. Outhone Bounvilay M&E Viengxay district, HP 020 56088703
30 Ms. Nathdavanh Bounmany Extension Viengxay district, HP 020 55553427
31 Ms. Chitthaphone Phounmanolath Land use/research Viengxay district, HP 020 55563202
32 Mr. Phiensone Xayason Livestock Viengxay district, HP 020 55006117
33 Mr. Vienphone Vienmixay Livestock Viengxay district, HP 030 9722500
34 Mr. DouangOiy Inmeeboun Land use/research Xiengkhor district, HP 030 4953675
35 Mr. Sonphet phanmaly Livestock Xiengkhor district, HP 030 9215330
36 Mr. Sayphai Bounkhammy Extension Xiengkhor district, HP 020 97801704
37 Mr. Zaisavang Bouthsadivong DIU head Xiengkhor district, HP 020 54172854
38 Mr. Khamphanh Bounphasith Extension Xiengkhor district, HP 030 4953675
5. Opening Ceremony
To ensure this training reach its goal, Mr. Phuangsavath Phommasy as Head of
Provincial Implementation Unit (PIU) in Houaphanh was invited to give speech in order
to convince all participants paying attention in the training program, together discuss
from case to case in the proactive way. In addition, Mr. Soukan Keonouchanh, Head of
Namxouang Livestock Research Centre (NAFRI) put emphasis on training topics linking
to project activities and capacity building program for stakeholder and actor in the
livestock value chain. At the end, both chairmen were asking ownership should be put
in action to all Group Support Teams (GSTs) in each district, ownership is heart of
sustainability. Officially opening at 8:30 am and chairmen handed-over to training
organizer and trainers resume as schedule was set.

7. 7
6. Training sessions, Discussion, and
Practicing in the Selected Village
Monday, 23 April 2018:
Before starting training program, Mr. Phitthasone Thepsombath (DTEAP) was happy to
facilitated self-introduction who is who and get to know each other by telling name,
responsibility, where comes from.Then, training rules were set up in participatory
approach and expectation of participants during five days from trainers drawing up
respectively.
The following training rule regulated:
 Morning session starts at 8:00 am, end 11:30
am and afternoon starts at 13:30 pm, end
16:00 pm (39)
 Mobile phone should be mute or silence
mode otherwise will fine 10,000 Lao
kip/person/time (27)
 Late attendance will impose a fine 10,000 Lao
kip/person/time (28)
 Daily recap voluntary, Sing & Viengxay GST
will be responsible for Monday, Ett &
Viengphoukha will be in charge for Tuesday,
Xiengkhor & Nalea GST will be taken care on
Wednesday, both PAFO team takes care on
Thursday, and central team takes care on
Friday (43)
 Role of each daily recap to make energizer,
give a brief report what we learn in each day,
watch dog, and time control (39)
During the break time, training organizer invited all participants to take a group picture
and gave 15 minutes for coffee and tea break.

8. 8
Group Picture during coffee & tea break
Session1: Introducing a production plan/business plan, how it’s important, and
concept (led by Phetsoulaphonh Choulatida, Agribusiness Development Specialist)
1.1 Facilitate and help GSTs to understand about a production plan vs. a
business plan:
 LPMGs are supposed to make production plans (in order to access the ADB
grants under sub-component 2.1), and Households are supposed to make
business plans (in order to apply for IFAD loans under sub-component 3.1).
 Brief introducing the LMPGs and Households formats.
 Distributed the handouts to participants.
1.2 Case studies:
 Example of bamboo business plan/production plan
 Example of rice business plan/production plan
 Example of livestock business plan/production plan
 Introduction of livestock business plan/production plan template
1.3 Discussion:
 Brainstorming
 Question and answer
 Idea sharing and experience exchange

9. 9
Session2: Review of 7 models on livestock commercialization developed by NAFRI (led
by Mr. Soukan Keonouchanh, Head of Namxouang Livestock Research Centre)
2.1 Introducing on 7 models on livestock commercialization:
 Model1: cattle fattening in the shelter
 Model2: cattle fattening on the pasture
 Model3: cow-calf production
 Model4: goat rearing and selling kids
 Model5: cross-bred sow product of piglets for sale
 Model6: exotic pig fattening
 Model7: forage seeds production for sale
2.2 Group Exercises:
 All GSTs from six district gave same assignment
 Assignment title was “Goat Rearing and Selling Kids”
 This exercise gave to each district, 5 GST per district
 Resources persons support each group work
2.3 Group Presentation and Opened Discussion:
 Present the output of group exercises
 Question and answer
 Idea sharing

10. 10
Tuesday, 24 April 2018:
Daily recap by GST from Sing and Viengxay district.
Session3: Continue cost-benefit analysis for model no.6 and 7 (led by Mr. Soukan
Keonouchanh, Head of Namxouang Livestock Research Centre)
3.1 Working group on model5 and model6 of livestock commercialization:
 Model5: cross-bred sow product of piglets for sale
 Model6: exotic pig fattening
3.2 Group Exercises:
 Mr. Somchanh Khamphavong (NAFRI) presented principle of technical
calculation before allowing participants to go back working as same group
 All GSTs from six district gave same assignment
 Assignment title was “model5: cross-bred sow product of piglets for sale,
and model6: exotic pig fattening”
 This exercise gave to each district, 5 GST per district
 Resources persons support each group work
INSTRUCTION: Before starts doing group exercises,
resources persons gave criteria and standard of cost-
benefit analysis, parameter of Model4: goat rearing
and selling kids to make all GSTs understand in the
same way and same message.
End of the first day, Resources persons provided
technical cost-benefit analysis, suggestion, and
recommendations to all working groups. Lastly,
learning process closed at 16:00 hour.

11. 11
3.3 Group Presentation and Opened Discussion:
 Present the output of group exercises
 Question and answer
 Idea sharing
Wednesday, 25 April 2018:
Daily recap by GST from Ett and Viengphoukha district.
During two days, all group support teams assigned to do group exercises on goat and
pig model, but it’s not enough. Many participants asked for another exercise on cattle
model since farmers in their areas interesting on cattle farming. Therefore, resources
persons gave another chance to practice exercise cattle “model3: cow-calf production”.
All participants allowed to work in the same group and presented the result to all
participants to share idea and feedback.
Session4: Introduction of a LPMG Production Plan (led by Mr. Viengxay Photakoun,
Head of Agro-processing Division, DTEAP)
4.1 Writing a LPMG Production Plan:
 Energizing by group singing the local song ”Viengxay is a beautiful place”
 DTEAP Trainers presented the LPMG Reformation Support Manual
 A LPMG Production Plan Template
 Opened discussion with whole audience in the classroom
4.2 Group Exercises:
 Mr. Phitthasone Thepsombath (DTEAP) presented principle of technical
writing before allowing participants to go back working as same group
 All GSTs from six district gave same assignment
 Assignment was practicing “A LPMG Production Plan Template”
 This exercise gave to each district, 5 GST per district
 Resources persons support each group work
4.3 Preparing field practice at village level:
 Naluang village selected where we will test our tool, this village adopted
model3: cow-calf production
 Village inform
 Role sharing among the group support teams (six districts)

12. 12
Thursday, 26 April 2018:
Daily recap by GST from Nalea and Xiengkhor district.
Started travelling from Viengxay town to Naluang village
Naluang village has only one LPMG, this LPMG consists of 13 members
44 participants (9 females) conducted field test at village level:
1. Village assemble:
 Short introduction to village authority
 Village head assemble 13 members of LPMG
 Provincial coordinator introduced objective of field test
 GSTs from 6 districts led LPMG production plan/household business plan
with 13 members of LPMG in Naluang village, Viengxay district, Huaphanh
province.
2. GST guides farmers to complete a production plan/business plan:
 13 Household business plan on cow-calf production
 LPMG production plan of Naluang village
 Say thank to farmers and village authority
3. Village evaluation:
 Feedback on trainers
 Feedback on facilitation
 Feedback on issue and problem solving in the classroom
 Feedback on training schedule
 Feedback on control atmosphere at the field test
 Feedback how to improve for next time

13. 13
Friday, 27 April 2018:
Daily recap by GST from Provincial team.
Session5: Data encoding & Synthesis (led by NAFRI, DTEAP, and LIC)
5.1 Discussing about field test:
 Review of LPMG Reformation Support Manual
 Household business plan template
 LPMG Production Plan Template
 Double check individual sheets of 13 member in Naluang village
 Synthesis and encoding data into right template
 GSTs presented their result
 Open discussion with whole participants
5.2 Other discussion happening:
 IFAD fund implements outside target villages in Huaphanh
 Credit starts try out in Nalae and Sing district, Luangnamtha province by
using the model of GIZ and bank of Laos
 Forage crop seeds procurement
 Quarterly meeting in each province
 ADB/IFAD midterm review in next month coming

14. 14
4. Planning for Next Step
After five days of training sessions including field test at the Naluang village, training
feedback illustrated that understanding level and competency of all participants
reached 60 % meaning that they are able to do household business plan and LPMG
production plan with livestock farmers in basis but they still need coaching from
trainers since these template are very new for them.
5. Training Evaluation and Closing Ceremony
Last session of this GST training, trainers led the training evaluation in order to measure
how much participants obtained from five days training, trainers evaluated what GSTs
learn during 5 days training by focusing five areas:
 What do you like best (one each)
 Which ones do you think benefit to you?
 What are challenges?
 What did you learn from challenges?
 How could you do differently if there is training like this in future?
Closing ceremony we invited Vice-District governor of Xiengxay Mr. Buavanh
Bounmixay, he is chair of project steering committee at district level. As briefly reported
by training organizer this training is very important to support farmer groups and help
them to overcome constraints on livestock commercialization, he was appreciate
trainers and all GSTs from six districts attended until the last days. Finally , this training
officially closed at 16.30 pm and wishing all participants and trainers have safe trip to
home.
(Certificate given) (Certificate) (Closing ceremony)

15. 15
6. Annex
Training agenda: Day 1, On Monday 23 April 2018
Date & Time Detailed training programme Materials applied Facilitators
8:30-9:00 Registration and guests welcoming Registration form Secretary
9:00-9:30 Opening ceremony and group picture
DAFO head
9:30-10:00
Training objectives, training program, self-
introduction, expectation, and rule setting up
Flip charts Phitthason
Thepsombath
(DTEAP)
10:0-10:15 Coffee and tea break
10:15-11:10
Introduction of business plan, how is it important,
concept and steps of business planning
LCD projector,
hands out
Phetsoulaphonh
Choulatida (LIC)
11:10-12:00
Cost benefit analysis of cattle fattening (cattle
fattening in pasture, cattle fattening in the shelter,
and cow-calf production)
LCD projector,
hands out
Mr. Soukan
Keonouchanh, and
Mr. Somchanh
Khamphavong
(NAFRI)
12:00-13:30 Lunch time
13:30-15:00
Continue cattle fattening in three models
LCD projector,
hands out
Mr. Soukan
Keonouchanh, and
Mr. Somchanh
Khamphavong
(NAFRI)
15:00-15:15 Coffee and tea break
15:15-16:30
Cost benefit analysis of pig fattening (native/exotic
pig fattening, and cross-bred sow product of
piglets for sale)
LCD projector,
hands out
Mr. Soukan
Keonouchanh, and
Mr. Somchanh
Khamphavong
(NAFRI)

16. 16
Training Agenda: Day 2, On Tuesday 24 April 2018
Date & Time Detailed training programme Materials applied Facilitators
8:30-9:00 Registration and guests welcoming Registration form Secretary
9:00-9:15 Group report what we learned in day1 Recap team
9:15-10:10
Cost benefit analysis of goat rearing (Model4:
goat rearing and selling kids)
LCD projector,
hands out
Mr. Soukan
Keonouchanh, and
Mr. Somchanh
Khamphavong
(NAFRI)
9:15-10:15 Introduction of LPMG Production Plan
LCD projector,
hands out
Mr. Viengxay
Photakoun (DTEAP)
10:15-10:20
Working group: discussing about template with
questions and answers
LCD projector,
hands out
Mr. Viengxay
Photakoun (DTEAP),
and Phetsoulaphonh
Choulatida (LIC)
10:20-10:30 Coffee and tea break
10:30-12:00
Exercise on LPMG Production Plan Template Mr. Viengxay
Photakoun (DTEAP),
Phitthason (DTEAP),
and Phetsoulaphonh
Choulatida (LIC)
12:00-13:00 Lunch time
13:00-15:00
Continue the exercise on LPMG Production Plan Template Mr. Viengxay
Photakoun (DTEAP),
Phitthason
Thepsombath
(DTEAP), and
Phetsoulaphonh
Choulatida (LIC)
15:00-15:15 Coffee and tea break
15:15-16:45
Representatives of working groups present the
results
Flip charts Mr. Soukan (NAFRI)
Mr. Viengxay
(DTEAP)
Mr. Phet (LIC)

17. 17
Training Agenda: Day 3, On Wednesday 25 April 2018
Date & Time Detailed training programme Materials applied Facilitators
8:00-8:30 Travel to selected village for field test Viengxay team
8:30-12:00
GSTs lead farmers to do business plan and
LPMG production plan
Templates DAFO of Viengxay
12:00-13:00 Collective lunch at village
13:00-17:00
Continue doing business plan and LPMG
production plan and turn back
Templates DAFO of Viengxay
Training Agenda: Day 4, On Thursday 26 April 2018
Date & Time Detailed training programme Materials applied Facilitators
8:00-8:30 Group report what we learned in day2 & 3 Recap team
8:30-10:20
Double check individual sheets from field
test, synthesis, and encoding data into
template
Templates NAFRI, DTEAP, LIC
10:20-10:30 Coffee and tea break
10:30-12:00
Summarize and fill information into LPMG
plan template
Templates NAFRI, DTEAP, LIC
12:00-13:00 Lunch time
13:00-15:00
Each group presents the result and share
idea
LCD projector NAFRI, DTEAP, LIC
15:00-15:15 Coffee and tea break
15:15-16:45 Feedback and recommendation LCD projector NAFRI, DTEAP, LIC
16:45-17:00 Report what we learned in day 4

18. 18
Training Agenda: Day 5, On Friday 27 April 2018
Date & Time Detailed training programme Materials applied Facilitators
8:00-8:30 Registration and guests welcoming Registration form Secretary
8:30-10:20
Review some sessions what participants
did not clear and want to learn more
LCD projector NAFRI, DTEAP, LIC
10:20-10:30 Coffee and tea break
10:30-12:00
Questions and answers other topics need
to clarify
All participants
12:00-13:00 Lunch time
13:00-15:00 Training evaluation LCD projector NAFRI, DTEAP, LIC
15:00-15:15 Coffee and tea break
15:15-16:45 Giving certificate to participants Certificate ປະທານ (DAFO)
16:45-17:00 Closing ceremony Vice-district governor

19. 19

20. 20